macdonald



y 1931' J. W. M DoNALD 1,806,693

TOY CANNON Filed June 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

. WWW

BY g msedzauw I w ATTORNEYS.

May 26, 1931. J. w. M DONALD TOY CANNON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5,1928 INVENTORY 20M WWW gm wm A ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 26, 1931 UNITED sr'ras JOHN W. MACDONALD, OF WILKINSBURG,PENNSYLVANIA TOY I cannon Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to gas cannons and more particularly to gascannons adapted for use as toys.

All of the gas cannons known to me that are adapted for use as toys areprovided with a combustion or explosion chamber, wherein the explosivemixture is generated. This is done by admitting acetylene or hydrogen tothe explosion chamber which mixes with the oxygen contained therein forforming an explosive mixture, or the explosion chamber is provided witha communicating water chamber adapted to receive a quantity of gasforming material, such as powdered calcium carbide for forming acetylenewhich mixes with the oxygen or airin the explosion chamber to form anexplosive gaseous mixture.

Either of these constructions is undesirable because the products ofcombustion re- 29 main in the explosion chamber which is also the gasforming chamber.. This necessitates thorough ventilation of the combinedexplosion chamber and gas forming chamber between each operation orfiring of the cannon; also the type of cannon provided with a combinedgas forming and explosion chamber having a communicating water chamberis further undesirable due to the fact that the residuum of the gasforming medium collects 59 on theside walls of such water chamber. It istherefore necessary that such chamber be cleaned often and because ofthe compact and cramped arrangement, access to the interior of the waterchamber for cleaning'is obvi- F' ously very difiicult.

One object of this invention is to provide a gas cannon having a chamberseparate from the explosion chamber in which the explosion takes placefor forming the explosive mixture.

I Another object of this invention is to provide a gas cannonhaving agas mixture gencrating chamber and an explosion chamber and means forpermitting the gas mixture to flow from the generating chamber to theexplosion chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gas cannon having a gasmixture generating chamber, an explosion chamber,

means for permitting the gas mixture to flow 1928. $eria1 No. 2$3,009.

to the explosion chamber and means for pre venting the products ofcombustion in the explosion chamber from gaining access to the gasmixture generating chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide a gas cannon having theabove characteristics, wherein the gas mixture generating chamber isprovided with a water chamber that may be easily and readily removed andcleaned. v i

A further object of this invention is to provide a gas cannon having theabove characteristics, wherein the gas mixture generating chamber isadapted to extend into the associated water chamber for forming awater 7seal about the lower chamber. v a

A still further object of this invention isto provide a gas cannonhaving the above characteristics, wherein the gas mixture generatingchamber is provided with a magazine for containing a supply of gasforming medium and means for charging the chamber witha t predeterminedamount of such gas forming medium. 7

Other objects of the invention lie in the novel construction andcombination of parts that will be made apparent throughout. thedescription of the invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of agas cannon embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional view of the device in Fig. 1.

The cannon comprises in general a support-.

ing base 11, a barrel 12 having portions 13 and 34 connected by a battlelike portion 1 1, a removable breech block or gas mixture generatingchamber 16 provided with a cover within which is formed a magazine 17for containing a gas forming medium such as calcium carbide measuringand charging means 18 located below the magazine 17 for charging thechamber with a predetermined. amount of the gas forming medium and anindependent removable water chamber 19 adapted to receive the lowerendof the breech block 16 for forming a water seal as at 21. i

The base 11 may be so constructed as to have a bottom 22, sides 23andend portions 24..

portion of the generating for bracing and strengthening the sides 23.Disposed above the bottom 22 is a supporting member 25 adapted tosupport the water chamber 19. The inner end of member 25 is providedwith an upstanding wall 26 for limiting the inward movement of the waterchamber or container 19. The sides 23 are connected together with a topportion 27 for further strengthening the structure in general. Betweenthe portion 34 and the top portion 27 is disposed a tubular taperedsupport 28- adapted to receive the breech block or gas generatingchamber 16 which is also tubular and tapered substantially the same asthe support 28. The breech block 16 is provided with a projection 29which is adapted to engage a cut away portion 31 in the top edge of thesupport 28. The projection 29 is adapted to cooperate with the cut awayportion 31 for limiting the rotation of the breech 'block16within thesupport 28.

- vided with an opening or touch-hole admitting a spark or any means for1gn1t-' The breech block 16 is also provided with a projection 32extending outwardly and forward thereof, the purpose of which willhereinafter be described.

The inner side of the support 28 forms a back wall 33 for the enlargedportion 34 of-the barrel 1-2' which forms the explosion chamber. Thisback wall is provided with an opening or port 35 which is adapted toregister with an opening 36 in the block or chamber 16 when the latteris in one position and upon rotation thereof to another position, theopening orport 35 is closed. The position of the opening 36 when thebreech block.16 is r otated to'close the opening or port'35 is shown bydotted lines in Figure '2; The explosion chamber or enlarged portion 34'of the barrel 12 is proingthe explosive mixture therein.

Between the magazine 17 and the top of the breech block 16 is provided apair of spaced horizontalpartitions 38 and 39. These partitions areprovided with openings 41 and 42, respectively, and between thesepartitions is disposedthe measuring and charging means 18 comprising amember 43 having an opening 44 therethrough. Member 43 is slidablydisposed between the partitions 3.8 and 39 and provided with astop 45for limiting its outward movement and a stop 46 for limiting itsinwardmovement.

The measuring and chargingmeans 18 is operable to receive a measuredquantity of carbide in the chamber-like opening 44 when it registerswith opening 42 in plate or portion. 39, and to transfer this measuredquantity to a point where it can be conveyed by gravity to the waterchamber 19. Such conveying ofthe measured charge by gravitytakes placewhen themember 43 is -moved to the position shown 1n Fig. 2, where, it

' willlbe observed, theopening or, chamber 44 of the gas forming mediumcontained in the magazine 17 to fall into the opening or measuringchamber 44. The member 43 is then pushed forward untll the stop 46 comes1n contact with the stop 29, at which time the opening 44 registers withthe opening 41 in the partition 38. When the opening or measuringchamber 44 registers with the opening or passageway 41, the measuredquantity of carbide or gas forming material falls by gravity through theopening 41 and the hollow breech block 16 into the water chamber 19. Theend of the breech block 16 extends below the water or fluid level incontainer 19 whereby a water or fluid seal is formed therefor at 21; theacetylene or gas which is formed rises into the breech block 16 andpasses through the openings or ports 36tand 35 into the explosionchamber 34.

When the gas enters the explosion chamber 34 it combines with the oxygenof the air therein so as to form an explosive mixture. So long as thebreech block 16 is in such a position that the openings 36 and 35register, one with the other, the projection 32 prevents access ofignition means to the opening or touch-hole 37 and prevents the firingof the cannon until the chamber 16 is rotated in a clockwise direction adistance sufficient to close the opening 35. Since the opening or port35 is closed when the explosion takes place, the products of combustionformed in the combustion chamber 34 are excluded from the breech block16. The rotative movement of the breech block 16 is predetermined by thecooperating stop member 29 on the block 16 andthe cut-away portion 21 onthe top of the support 28.

To remove the container 19 for cleaning, the breech block 16 is moved orlifted vertically until the lower end thereof is above the top of thecontainer. The container 19 may then be removed and cleaned.

Since the breech block 16 and the support 28 are tapered, the cannon isnot rendered inoperative in the eventythat products of combustion aredeposited between the block and the support, because the block ismovable vertically. Therefore, if deposits are formed the block 16 maybe moved vertically until sufficient clearance is provided that willpermit rotation of the block.

One advantage of the present construction is that the cannon may befired more rapid- 'ly than gas cannons ofthis type heretofore provided.fsion of a separate waterchamber that may be readily removed and easilycleaned of the.

Another advantage is the proviresidue of the gas forming medium whichcollects on the side walls of the chamber..

7 Anotheradvantage is the novel magazine and charging devlcewhich'renders the device more cannon like. Other advantages are to befound in the present construction such as the simplicity of the design,small cost of manufacture and the novel manner in which the cannon isadapted to be operated.

l/Vhile I have illustrated and described but one embodiment of theinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that ceringchamber, the gas generating chamber beingadapted to permit access to theexplosion chamber when in-one position and to prevent access theretowhen in another position.

2. A gas cannon having a stationary explosion chamber, a relativelymovable gas a mixture generating chamber, means for generatinga gasmixture in the last said chamber, means'for transferring such mixture tothe explosion chamber andmeans for-preventing access of the product ofcombustion of the explosion chamber to the explosive mixture generatingchamber.

3. A gas cannon having a stationary explosion chamber, a relativelymovable gas mixture generating chamber,means for generating an explosivemixture in the gas generating chamber, means for transferring suchmixture to the explosion chamber,means for preventing access of theproducts of combustion of-the explosion chamber to the gas mixturegenerating chamber, and meansfor preventing firing ofthe cannon so longas access is had between the two chambers.

4. The combination in a toy gas cannon of a-barrel having an explosionchamber, a gasgenera ting chamber adjacent thereto ,a magazine adaptedto feed a gas forming medium a gas generating chamber. adjacentvthereto] and adapted to open into and to close the explosion chamberupon rotation thereof, means forlimiting the rotatable movement of saidchamber and means for charging thegas gensaid chamber for opening andclosing a passage between said explosion chamber and said gas generatingchamber.

7 The combination in a toy gas cannon of a barrel having an explosionchamber, a gas generating chamber having one end sealed with water,means for admitting into said chamber a predetermined amount of a mediumforming gas upon coming in contact with water, and means for rotatingsaid chamber to permit and to prevent the generated gas passing into theexplosion chamber.

8. A gas cannon having an explosion chamber, a gas forming chamberadjacent to one end of said explosion chamber, means for generating gasin said gas forming chamber, and means for transferring the gasto theexplosion chamber. e

9. A gas cannon comprising a chamber in which gas may be'exploded, a-gasgenerating chamber adjacent to the explosion chamber, a removable watercontainer communicating with the explosion chamber, a source of gasliberating material mounted on the cannon, and a measuringdevice foradmitting measured quantities of said material to the Water container.

10. A gas cannon comprising a chamber in which gas may be exploded, agas generating chamber adjacent to one end of the explosion chamber, aremovable water container, a

source of gas liberating material mounted on thecannon, a measuringdevice for admitting measured quantities of said material to the watercontainer, means permitting the transfer of the gas in said gasgenerating chamber developed by the reaction of the Iwater with thematerial, into the explosion chamber, and means for interruptingcommunication between the chambers before the gas is ignited inthe'explosion chamber.

11. In a toy cannon, in combination, a gas forming chamber having aremovable water container, a container on the cannon'for gas liberatingmaterial, and a measuring device between the material container and thechamber for admitting a measured quantity of the material into the watercontainer.

12. In a toy cannon, incombination, a hollow tapered support, a hollowtapered breech block disposed within the support, and a removablecontainer mounted below the breech and adaptedv to receive fluid, thelevel of which is above the end of the breech block.

13. In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow tapered support, a hollowbreech block disposed within the support, and a container mounted belowthe breech and adapted to rechamber and the hollow support, a hollow.tapered breech block disposed within said ceive fluid, the level ofwhich is above the end of the breech block.

14. In a toy cannon, in combination, a gas explosion chamber having ahollow tapered support ad acent one end of the'chamber and an openlngcommunlcatlng with the support provided with an opening disposed toregister with the opening leading to the chamber when in one position,said breech block being arranged to close off communication between thehollow breech block and the chamber when in another position.

15. A tapered hollow breechopen at one end, a magazine disposed in theother end,

and means cooperating with the magazine for admitting gasifying materialfrom the magazine into the breech block.

16. In a toy cannon, a hollow breech block, a removable water containerdisposed at one end of the breech block and a measuring demeasuringdevice for said material disposed? between the receptacle and one end ofthe breech block. I

19. In a toy cannon, a hollow breech block, a removable water containerdisposed in communicating relation with the breech block, and a manuallyoperable measuring device disposed intermediate the water 7 containerand one end of the breech block.

20. In a toy cannon, a hollow breech block, a removable water containerdisposed at one end of the breech block, and a manually oper ablemeasuring device disposed intermediate the water container and the otherend of the breech block. V

21. In a toy cannon, in combination, a support, a hollow tapered breechblock supported thereby, and a liquid sealing device removably disposedat one end of said breech block.

22. In a toy cannon, in combination, a support, a hollow tapered breechblock supported thereby, and a liquid sealing device disposer]. at oneend of said breech block.

28. In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow tapered support, a hollowtapered breech block disposed within the support, and V a liquid sealingdevice removably disposed at one end of the breechblock.

24. In a toy cannon, in combination, a 1101- low tapered support, ahollow tapered breech block rotatably disposed within the support, and aliquid sealing device removably disposedat one end of the breech block.

25 In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow tapered support, a hollowtapered breech block disposed within the support, a magazine for gasliberating material mounted on one end of said breech block, and a fluidcontainer removably disposed at the other end of the breech block.

26. In a toy cannon, in combination, a support, a hollow breech blockrotatably supported thereby, and a liquid sealing device removablydisposed at one end of the breech block.

27. In a toy cannon, in combination, a support, a hollow breech blockrotatably supported thereby, and a liquid sealing device disposed at oneend of the breech block.

28. In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow support, a hollow breechblock rotatably disposed within the support, and a liquid sealing deviceremovably disposed at one end of the breech block.

29. In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow support, a hollow breechblock disposed within the support, a magazine for gas liberatingmaterial mounted on one end of the breech block, and a fluid containerremovably disposed at the other end of the breech block in sealingrelation therewith.

30. In a toy cannon, in combination, a hollow support, a hollow breechblock rotatably disposed within the support, a magazinefor gasliberating material mounted on one end of the breech block, and a fluidcontainer removably disposed at the other end of the breech block insealing relation therewith.

81. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosion chamber, a touch-holefor said chamber, a gas forming chamber disposed to admit gas to thechamber, and means covering said touch-hole when the gas forming chamberis in gas admitting relation with the explosion chamber.

32. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosive chamber, a touch-holefor said chamber, a gas forming chamber disposed to admit gas to thechamber, means covering said touch-hole when the gas forming chamber isin gas admitting relation with the explosive chamber, and means arrangedto interrupt communication between the gas forming chamber and theexplosive chamber when the touch-hole is uncovered.

33. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosive chamber having a gasadmitting port, a chamber having an opening disposed to register withthe explosive chamber port when gas is generated in said chamber, andmeans for closing said explosive chamber port.

34;. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosion chamber having a gasadmitting port in a wall thereof, and a hollow breech block having anopening disposed to register with 7 said port when the block is in oneposition,

and to close said port when in another position.

35. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosion chamber having a gasadmitting port in a wall thereof, a hollow breech block having anopening disposed to register with said port when the block is in oneposition and to close said port when in another position, and acontainer for fluid removably disposed at one end of said breech blockin fluid sealing relation therewith:

36. In a toy cannon, in combination, an eX- plosion chamber having a gasadmitting port in a Wall thereof, a hollow breech block having anopening disposed to register with said port when the block is in oneposition and to close said port when in another position, and acontainer for fluid disposed at one end of said breech block in fluidsealing relation therewith.

37. In a toy cannon, in combination, an eX- plosion chamber having a gasadmitting port in a wall thereof, a hollow breech block having anopening disposed to register with said port when the block is in oneposition and to close said port when in another position, a containerfor fluid removably disposed at one end of said breech block in fluidsealing relation therewith, and means at the other end of said breechblock for admitting gas liberating material intosaid fluid container.

38. In a toy cannon, in combination, an explosion chamber having a gasadmitting port in a wall thereof, a hollow breech block having anopening disposed to register with said port when the block is in oneposition and to close said port when in another position, a containerfor fluid disposed at one end of said breech block in fluid sealingrelation therewith, and means at the other end of said breech block foradmitting gas liberating material into said fluid container.

39. A cannon having an explosion chamber, and a rotatable hollow breechblock, said breach block being disposed to permit communication betweenthe chamber and breech block when in one position and to preventcommunication when in another position.

40. In a toy cannon, a hollow breech block, a source of supply of gasliberating material disposed in communicating relation to the breechblock, and a measuring device disfrom the gun barrel, a gas passagewayconnecting the water chamber and the barrel, and means for slidably anddetachably supporting said water chamber for itemmoval, cleaning andreplenishment.

42. A toy gas cannon embodying a supporting structure, agun-barrel-structure having a closed breech end and a passage vertically through its rear portion, a water tank arranged under said passageto receive the gas-making materials as they fall through said passage bygravity, a closure for the upper end of said passage embodying amagazine for the gas-making material and also a measuring device formeasuring a charge of gasmaking material, this measuring device having adischarge opening arranged to discharge the gas-making material bygravity down through said passage into said tank, whereby when saiddischarge takes place the generated gas will rise directly into saidpassage in the gun-barrel-structure.

43. A toy gas cannon embodying a supporting structure, agun-barrel-structure having a closed breech end and a passage verticallythrough its rear portion, a water tank arranged under said passage toreceive the gasmaking materials as they fall through said passage bygravity, a closure for the upper end of the said passage embodying amaga- Zine for the gas-making material and also a measuring device formeasuring a charge of gas-making material, this measuring device havinga discharge opening arranged to discharge the gas-making material bygravity .down through said passage into said tank,

whereby when said discharge takes place the generated gas will risedirectly into said passage in the gun-barrel-structure, said water tankbeing rearwardly removable from under the gun-barrel-structure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 1st day ofJune, 1928.

JOHN W. MAcDONALD.

